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  • CSA A23.1-2014

CSA A23.1-2014


Current Edition CSA A23.1: 2014

Purchase CSA A23.1 here

In addition to the many changes in this standard, there is a new concrete mix classification “N-CF” for “interior concrete floors with a steel trowel finish” which includes mandatory maximum 0.55 water:cement ratio and a minimum 25 MPa compressive strength (both requirements must be met see Clause 4.1.1.1.3).

Other important concrete floor items include:

  • Steel fibres must be accompanied by a Certificate of Compliance and Test Reports in accordance with ASTM A820.
  • Under-slab vapour retarders shall be installed in areas with non-breathing finishes and shall comply with ASTM E1745 and ASTM E1643.
  • Granular bases shall be level to +/- 10mm prior to ordering a concrete placement (see Position Statement).
  • The average slab on grade thickness shall be no more than 10mm less than the specified thickness and no local variations in excess of 20mm less than the specified thickness.
  • Owners shall specify concrete mixes, curing and reinforcing as necessary to control drying shrinkage curling to meet their specific needs.
  • Sawcut contraction joints shall be spaced at approximately 25 times the slab thickness in metres and shall not exceed 4.5m on centre.
  • Semi-rigid joint fillers should not be filled earlier than 120 days after slab casting (see Position Statement).
  • The Concrete Purchaser must make suitable arrangements for the plastic protection of the concrete mix being used (see Position Statement).
  • Surface tolerances shall be measured within 72 hours of slab casting (See Position Statement).
  • The F Number System is the only approved means of measuring floor tolerances (with an exception for small slab on grade areas up to 1500 sf see Table 21)
  • Levelness tolerances do not apply to suspended slabs.
  • The minimum local value (60% of overall specified value) must be exceeded in all slab areas.
  • A machine trowel finish shall not be used on air entrained concrete to avoid the potential for surface delaminations.
  • Concrete mixes for floors should have a MINIMUM slump of 100 mm at the point of placement.
  • General use cement may be modified with up to 15% inter-ground limestone (Type “GUL” cement).
  • Test method 16C permits the on-site washout of both steel and syntehtic fibres to determine the average content in concrete on site.

Top Links


  • Specifier’s Guide to Interior Concrete Floors
  • Polished Concrete Re-finishing
  • Best Practices Guide
  • Superflat Floors
  • Tolerances
  • Concrete Purchasing
  • Granular Bases
  • Unreinforced Floors

Concrete Flooring Materials

  • Superflat Floors
  • Coloured Floors
  • Dry Shake Aggregate Hardeners
  • Green Floor Solutions
  • Joint Fillers
  • Liquid hardener/densifiers
  • Polished Concrete
  • Steel Fibres
  • Unreinforced Floors

Position Statement Documents

  • Position Statement Press Release
  • Concrete Purchasing
  • Floor Joint Fillers
  • Granular Bases
  • Standard Scope of Work
  • Tolerances

The Concrete Floor Contractors Association
PO Box 30021, RPO Dundas Neyagawa, Oakville, ON, L6H 7L8
Tel: (905) 582-9825  •  Fax: (416) 981-3913

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